If you are experiencing black photos in The Sims 4, you are not alone. This issue is a known bug that usually happens when in-game photos are stored inside a non-shared inventory item, such as a dresser, bookshelf, or storage container.
When the game is closed and reopened, those photos may lose ownership data, causing them to appear black or blank.
Understanding how this bug works and how to fix it can help you protect your Sims’ memories and prevent data loss in the future.
Why Photos Turn Black in The Sims 4
In The Sims 4, photos are linked to the Sim who took them. If these photos are moved to a non-shared inventory—for example, inside furniture or objects that do not share inventories between Sims—the game may lose track of their ownership after being reloaded.
When ownership data is lost, the images turn black and can no longer be viewed.
The best way to avoid this issue is to store photos in a shared inventory, such as your Sim’s personal inventory or a photo album. These types of inventories retain ownership data even after the game is closed.
Fix 1: Exit Without Saving or Restore a Previous Save
If you notice black photos during gameplay and you haven’t saved yet, exit the game without saving to prevent the issue from being saved permanently.
If you already saved your game, you can restore an earlier version of your save file:
- From the main menu, click the floppy disk icon next to your save.
- Select the most recent save that does not have black photos.
If restoring a previous save does not work, you can reset your game to factory settings:
- Move or back up your Saves, Mods, Tray, and Screenshots folders.
- Launch The Sims 4 to generate fresh game files.
- Add your content back gradually to test for stability.
Fix 2: Transfer Photos from a Working Save
If you have an older save file where your photos still appear correctly, you can transfer them to your current save:
- Load the save file with working photos.
- Build a small room and hang your photos on the walls.
- Save this room to your Library.
- Open your current save and place the saved room on your lot.
- Move the photos back into your Sim’s inventory, then delete the temporary room.
This method safely transfers photos between saves and preserves your Sims’ captured memories.
Fix 3: Check for Mod or Custom Content Conflicts
If you use mods or custom content (CC), one of them might be responsible for the black photo issue. To test this:
- Move your Mods folder to your desktop.
- Delete the localthumbcache.package file to clear cached data.
- Relaunch the game and check if the issue persists.
If your photos appear normally without mods installed, the problem is caused by one or more mods or pieces of CC. Reintroduce them gradually to identify the culprit.
Fix 4: Repair The Sims 4 Game Files
If disabling mods does not fix the issue, repairing your game installation may help:
- Open Origin or the EA App.
- Navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and choose Repair.
- Once the repair is complete, restart your computer and launch the game.
Repairing your files ensures that all corrupted or missing components are replaced, which may resolve photo-related glitches and similar bugs.
How to Prevent the Black Photos Bug in The Sims 4
Since the bug is linked to non-shared inventories, it’s best to keep all photos in shared inventories. Shared inventories allow multiple Sims or objects to access the same storage space, preventing ownership data from being lost.
Recommended Practices
- Always keep photos in your Sim’s personal inventory or photo album.
- If displaying photos on walls, save the room to your library. This preserves a backup copy of your photos.
- Back up your save files regularly. To do this:
- Open your Sims 4 Saves folder.
- Sort files by date and copy the most recent one.
- Store the backup on a secure location such as an external drive or cloud storage.
Creating backups ensures that you can easily recover your photos and saves if a problem occurs.
Optional: Using the Photographic Memory Mod
Players who enjoy using mods can try the Photographic Memory Mod, which helps preserve and organize Sims’ photos. However, it must be used correctly to avoid triggering the black photo bug.
How to Use the Mod Safely
- Access the mod’s tools, such as the USB Drive, Floppy Disk, or Vintage Camera.
- Use these tools to create copies of your photos.
- Do not store the original photos directly inside the mod’s inventory items.
- Keep the original photos in your Sim’s personal inventory.
- You may store the copies in household or storage inventories for decoration or backup.
This approach keeps your original photos safe while allowing you to use duplicates in various ways.
Mods Known to Cause the Black Photo Issue
Some mods are confirmed to interfere with inventory ownership and photo storage. Removing or disabling them can help prevent future problems.
- Inventory Not Shared by BrazenLotus
- Inventory Not Shared by SrslySims
- Photos Storageable by LittleMsSam
- Objects Don’t Share Inventory by LittleMsSam
If you use any of these, remove them from your Mods folder to avoid triggering the black photo bug.
Editor's Note:
The black photo bug in The Sims 4 is frustrating, but it can be managed and prevented with the right steps. By keeping photos in shared inventories, maintaining backups of your saves, and being cautious with mods, you can protect your Sims’ memories and keep your game stable.
Regular maintenance, such as repairing game files and clearing the cache, can also improve overall game performance and reduce the risk of similar issues in the future.
If this guide helped you fix your black photos in The Sims 4, consider bookmarking it or sharing it with other Simmers who might be experiencing the same problem. Keeping your virtual memories safe is just as important as creating them.
Links not working/updated? Leave a comment below and we'll fix it!
0 Comments